The Orchard at Altapass has received a $2,000 matching grant from the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, Fund for Mitchell County. The monies will help the Orchard recognize the Scots-Irish heritage of our Appalachian region by holding an annual celebration beginning this year. Funds will be used to create an exhibit showcasing the history of the Great Migration. In partnership with the Mitchell County Historical Society, the kiosk will illustrate the legacy of the thousands of immigrants who traveled across the Atlantic to seek a better life in America.
“We are very excited about initiating this annual event on the first Sunday of June,” said executive director Beth Hilton. “Over the coming years, we hope that Pipes on the Parkway will become a much-enjoyed tradition in the community; not unlike the Altapass Orchard over almost two and a half decades. We’re grateful to the Foundation for recognizing the Orchard and its work to save the good stuff and preserve the heritage of this region.”
The Orchard at Altapass, 1025 Orchard Road near Spruce Pine at mile 328.3 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, is a not-for-profit working small batch heirloom apple orchard, educational, and music venue. They reopen on May 13, 2023. For information about Orchard programs and opportunities, visit www.altapassorchard.org.